Israel-Hamas Conflict: Day 6 Updates

The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to escalate, with both sides exchanging airstrikes and rocket fire. Here are the latest developments on Day 6 of the conflict:

Palestinian President Abbas Calls for End of Violence Towards Civilians on Gaza Strip

In a meeting with the King of Jordan on Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave tempered remarks calling for the end of aggression toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian state media reported. Abbas, who is the head of the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank, said, "We reject the practices of killing civilians or abusing them on both sides." Hamas violently seized Gaza from the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007.

Hundreds Gather in Romania's Capital in Support of Israel

Several hundred people gathered for a rally in Romania's capital on Thursday to pledge their support for Israel. The attendees waved Israeli flags and held signs that read, "We stand with Israel." Israel's ambassador to Romania, Reuven Azar, said, "We are going to tackle this evil, because without tackling this evil, we are all in danger." He referred to Hamas as "one of the most ferocious, barbaric, savage forces in the world that is killing innocent civilians, families, babies, children, taking hostages, and burning people alive."

US Defence Secretary Says Israel Can Use American-Provided Munitions as It Sees Fit

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that the US is placing no specific conditions on how Israel uses the American-provided munitions. He told reporters at the close of the NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels, "Israel has a professional military and we would hope and expect that they would do the right things." When asked if the US would put conditions on the weapons, specifically that they would not be used against civilians, Austin said he would leave it to the Israelis to define their operations.

Aid Chief Calls for Establishing Demilitarised Zones in Gaza

Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland has called for establishing demilitarized zones in Gaza amid unrelenting bombardment by Israel. Writing on Twitter, Egeland said urgent life-saving support is needed for civilians trapped in Gaza. He also called for the international community to facilitate a deal to release all civilians held by both sides, "with immediate release of children, mothers with infants, the wounded & sick."

Israel's Military Chief Admits Failure to Protect Citizens Around the Gaza Strip

The chief of staff for Israel's military, Herzi Halevi, admitted on Thursday that the military had failed to protect civilians around the Gaza Strip from Hamas' unprecedented attack on the country. Halevi said, "The IDF is responsible for the security of the country and its citizens, and on Saturday morning in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, we did not. We will learn, we will investigate, but now is the time for war."

Blinken to Visit Qatar on Friday

After visiting Israel and Jordan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Doha on Friday for talks with senior Qatari officials. Qatar has ties with Hamas and has served as a facilitator in discussions to calm tensions in and around Gaza in the past.